I have fond memories of reading this book to my daughter when she was young. It was her favourite book, and I’d read it to her every evening before she went to bed. It’s a lovely book, it’s got wonderful, colourful illustrations, but it’s also funny and appeals to children and adults alike. The end of the bedtime story? As research suggests fewer parents read to their kids, we rediscover the joys of storytime World Book Day falls on Thursday March 2 this year. The day is all about celebrating a love of reading and kids enjoy getting dressed up as their favourite book characters for school.

Each year it is always exciting to see the list of new books released by well-known authors, let’s have a look at what 2023 holds.I suppose, at the end of the day, the Narnia books taught me about being brave and confident with the will move forward and the grit to make a positive of our shared adversity. Everyone knows and adores this lovable bear! And it’s quite simple to dress up like him too. All you need is a blue raincoat (or a blue dress if you can’t find a raincoat), a red hat and some bear ears! 4. A Mr Men or Little Miss Character – Adapt a PE or sports kit, or their school uniform - think Football Academy for sports kit, Harry Potter and St Trinian's for the uniform. If you’re anything like me, you’ll remember the World Book Day costume at about 10pm on Wednesday, March 2.

This game is a variation on the Beans Game. Get your children to dance around your hall to music and when the music stops shout out a Mr Men or Little Miss name and they have to do a corresponding action. Last one to do the action, or if they do a wrong action is out. Keep going until you have a winner. You could even add a couple of your own characters and actions in. My favourite book as a primary school pupil was Gerald Durrell’s “My Family And Other Animals.” I loved the combination of a slightly bonkers but very lovable family and the young Durrell’s curiosity about and kindness towards the animals. Add to these the environments he encountered in a land that was very foreign to him and the book served to fuel my interest in the outdoors, adventure, and travel from a very early age! The most important thing you can do on World Book Day is read a book! If you have a reluctant reader, have a read of our blog 10 ways to encourage children to love reading for some top tips. More character inspiration on Busy Things! Use bandages and matching tops and trousers to go as Mr Bump and Little Miss Sunshine (Image: Anna Ruffle) Use toy props and do their hair and make up You won't have to go to Infinity or beyond to make your kid a great Buzz Lightyear costume this World Book Day, you just need this easy-to-follow guide! Top tips for making World Book Day costumes

This was a book I read to each of my three children and they never got bored of it. It reminds me of my children growing up and all the amazing bedtime discussions it led to about animals and friends. Jo – I vividly remember Josephine March and the imagery her character conjured up – with her poetry writing, her fear of the dentist’s chair, her relationship with her sisters, the sharing of the gloves and the party dress that was ruined by a burn and yet had to be worn! Get creative with cardboard. There's almost nothing you can't make with some cardboard, scissors, and a good idea. Turn your section into a world from your favourite books with these programme ideas: 1. Mr Men & Little Miss

The adventure includes five stories and accompanying activities suitable for children aged three to seven to promote storytelling, communication and language. If you have a fancy dress box – search for books that have a pirate, a princess, a super hero, a horse, a doctor, an astronaut or whatever outfit options you already have – you’ll find something that works! Vampire accessories can be utilised for The Little Vampire, Dracula or Ivy from My Sister, the Vampire whilst a skeleton outfit is perfect for Funny Bones or Disney's Coco. Room on the Broom and Wizard of Oz characters are ideal for any witch costume. Children can record their work on their own achievement chart and be rewarded at the end of the challenge with a certificate.

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Thank you Roger Hargreaves for endless World Book Day costume ideas! Characters like Mr Bump, Mr Messy, Little Miss Sunshine and Little Miss Chatterbox are easy to make with card and some paint. A fun one for siblings too. Whilst at secondary school, I loved Chris Bonnington’s book “Annapurna Southface” about a deliberately very challenging ascent of Annapura in 1970. The spirit of determination and ingenuity displayed by Bonnington and his team further fuelled my passion for mountaineering first ignited by my mother who was a keen mountaineer in her younger years. Ten years after reading this book, I found myself heading up Annapurna which was truly terrific! Never under estimate the power of books!